Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, one of the world’s most photographed hotels

Despite being only nine hours from Toronto by car (or about a 1.5 hour flight), I’d never spent much time here before (not counting an afternoon when I was 10 years old). When you live in such a massive country with temperamental weather, there tend to be a lot of places you haven’t seen! However, this year, the Easter long-weekend presented the perfect opportunity for a road trip.

Our castle for the weekend

We were lucky enough to be staying at one of the city’s most famous landmarks, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. This iconic castle is of the most photographed hotels in the world and in December it will be turning 120!

Vieux Quebec – Lower Town

A chilly destination in the winter months, we were met with sunshine throughout the weekend. With only two nights to spend here, we had lots to pack in! There was no time to be wasted. We started the morning off with a big brunch at the hotel, to keep us going for the day.

The perfect place to enjoy some sun

Our first stop was Le Citadelle de Quebec, which is a great introduction to the city’s history. It was an easy walk from the hotel and we saw the historic Plains of Abraham on the way (site of clashes between British and French). Built between 1820 and 1831, a tour of the still active Citadelle is a great introduction to Quebec City’s impressive history. The tour ran for one hour and cost $10 per person.

Stepping back in time

The city is split into an Upper Town and Lower Town, both of which are perfect for exploring on foot (there are no cars on the streets of the Lower Town). Hours were spent wandering through the narrow cobblestone streets and at times it feels as though you could be in Europe.

Beautiful old doors

We capped off the day with a horse and carriage ride through the Old Town, followed by hot drinks at the hotel bar. It was the perfect way to end the day. Despite only having one full day in the city, we managed to fit a whole lot in. We had one final stop to make the next morning before heading home – the famous Hotel de Glace.

The famous Ice Hotel

The Hotel de Glace is located outside of Quebec City and it’s a hotel made from 500 tons of ice and 15,000 tons of snow. It’s an amazing structure, but it’s damn cold inside! Although what else can you expect from an ice hotel?

The Ice Hotel – A bit too cold for me!

The Hotel de Glace is a functioning hotel, however, I can’t imagine actually paying to sleep here. I guess you’d do it for the bragging rights? We happened to be visiting on the last day of the season, so things were starting to get a bit slushy in some areas. Before leaving I made sure to try the maple sugar taffy. Hot maple syrup is poured into the snow, to create a deliciously sweet treat. After this little sugar shock, I was quite content and ready for the long ride home.

Chef Massimo

Massimo is an Italian chef from the Puglia region of Italy. He’s been living and working in Toronto since 2001 and if you have the chance to dine with him, you’re in for a real treat. This talented chef hosts monthly supper clubs out of his studio, runs cooking classes and works as a personal chef. Oh, and did I mention he also runs culinary tours in Puglia?!

Delicious food, great company and plenty of vino at Massimo’s studio

When I arrived at Massimo’s King St. studio, I had no idea what I was in store for. I’d received a tweet inviting me to an event promising plenty of food and Italian wine. Who can say no to that?!  I love pasta, pizza, gelato and all foods Italian. So much so, that I once gained close to 10 pounds by eating gelato twice a day for three weeks while in Europe.

Massimo was the perfect host. Wine was flowing throughout the evening, as myself and about a dozen bloggers dined family-style at the long harvest table in his studio. He kept us laughing throughout dinner, entertaining us with anecdotes on Italian cooking, as dish after dish of mouth-watering food appeared in front of us.

The menu for the evening included the following:

• Focaccia Barese
• Burrata with roasted tomatoes and pesto
  

  So good I had three servings!

• Roasted oyster mushroom salad on arugula
• Eggplant parmigana
• Handmade Cavatelli with tomatoes, arugula and salty ricotta (I loved watching as he made the pasta in front of us!)

Massimo making the cavatelli

Homemade Cavatelli

• Pesce al Sale (sea salt crusted euro seabass)
• Insalata
• Flourless ricotta lemon cake
• Italian vino

The perfect way to end the meal!

It was such a wonderful evening that he couldn’t get us to leave. We had been transported all the way to Puglia, for a very lively dinner that I won’t forget any time soon. By 10 p.m. the group started to disperse and I made my way home one very full and very happy girl.

For more information on Massimo and his culinary offerings, visit www.massimobruno.com

1. Tour the major sites of Lima – Many people I spoke to told me Lima wasn’t their favourite city. Spending some time here was unavoidable though, as we flew in and out of Lima. I wanted to approach the city with an open mind. Being short on time, the easiest thing to do was to arrange a tour (which would pick us up from our hotel in Miraflores), to see some of the city’s top sites. The city has some incredible old architecture. Lima even has catacombs which you can visit at the Franciscan Monastery – apparently the bones of 10,000 people can be found here. Who knew?!

Lima’s beautiful historic centre

A popular spot to sit and relax

Outside the Monastery

Larcomar, an outdoor shopping complex built into the cliff in Miraflores, is the perfect spot for dinner and drinks. We enjoyed a delicious meal and a number of Pisco Sours with a Peruvian friend, as we sat overlooking the ocean. *Warning – drinking too many pisco sours will cause you to move very slowly the next day. If you have a flight to catch the next morning, don’t consume too many the night before! Domestic airlines oversell their flights. Yours may be oversold by the time you arrive, even if you’re there a full hour early.

2. Visit Machu Picchu – No trip to Peru is complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. Yes it is touristy, but it’s also one of the most amazing sites I’ve ever seen. The train ride from Cusco to the town of Aguas Calientes (at the base of Machu Picchu), is breathtaking and gives you a little taste of what’s to come.

It’s crazy to think of how the Incas built Machu Picchu hundreds of years ago, before any of today’s modern technologies existed. Hiring a guide is something I’d highly recommend because they’ll provide the background history, which you won’t get exploring on your own. Our guide, Mirabelle, was arranged through our hotel, the SUMAQ, and she met us there at 6 a.m. Mirabelle spent the entire day with us and was a wealth of information on Machu Picchu and the surrounding area.

Sunrise at Machu Picchu

3. Hike Wayna Picchu – Wayna Picchu is the mountain seen behind the Machu Picchu ruins, which 400 people hike per day. I loved this hike, although hated parts of it as we were making our way to the top! It is very, very steep and the trails are busy. Combined with the altitude it is definitely a challenge, but the view at the top is well worth the shortness of breath and racing heart. It’s amazing how many times my blog has been found by people searching ‘Wayna Picchu stairs of death!’

View from the top of Wayna Picchu

4. Take the train from Cusco to Puno – Cusco is a beautiful ancient city and a popular stop for most travellers. Exploring this old city is a must for anyone visiting the region. Unfortunately, we didn’t spend as long here as I would have liked, as we had a train to catch! We took a 10 hour train journey from Cusco to Puno on the Andean Explorer. I loved this experience! A three course lunch and afternoon tea are served on this luxury train. The bar car was a perfect spot to sit back and enjoy a drink, while watching the breathtaking scenery, or listening to the live traditional music.

Nightfall in the old city of Cusco

Train trip on the Andean Explorer

Riding the rails

5. Suasi Island - Near the end of our trip, we had the opportunity to visit Isla Suasi, an ecolodge on a private island on Lake Titicaca. This place was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Each room had a fireplace in it which was lit at night. When you returned to your room for the evening, after a home-made three course meal, there were hot-water bottles in the beds. A guide was available for hikes and star gazing excursions. Families of alpacas roamed around the island. It was one of the most unique places I’ve ever stayed.

Isla Suasi

Tips for visiting Peru

• Change your money into Peruvian sols. We didn’t change our money right away and were paying in $US for the first little while, which led to being frequently overcharged.
• If you’re taking a taxi, ask the driver to user the meter, otherwise the rate may have mysteriously changed by the time you reach your destination.
• Wear comfortable clothes for your visit to Machu Picchu, especially if you’re hiking Wayna Picchu. You’d be shocked by how many people wear clothes that are totally inappropriate for a day of activity (skirts, flip flops, etc).
• Be cautious of what you eat. If you’re trying ceviche make sure it’s from a reputable restaurant and remember to watch what you drink (no ice). Two of the three people I was with got quite sick.
• Try and speak some Spanish, even if you’re terrible (like me).

• A return to Grenada, ‘The Spice of the Caribbean’ -  I’ve been lucky to work with The Grenada Board of Tourism as a PR representative in Canada, which has led me to visit the island on a number of occasions. Each time I return I find more and more things that I love about this tiny Eastern Caribbean Island. From the friendly people, the beautiful beaches, to the abundance of fresh nutmeg (I’ve used plenty of it over the holidays this year!), this is an island you just don’t want to leave. A visit this past May, allowed me to witness gigantic Leatherback Turtles nesting on one of the island’s beaches. These massive creatures (up to 1,000 pounds), come crawling out of the ocean late at night to lay their eggs on the beach. Guided by the light of the moon, they’ll come back to where they were born to nest. No flash photography is allowed,  as it will disorient the turtles and send them back to the ocean before they finish laying their eggs. Conservation groups such as Ocean Spirits ensure that these endangered animals remain protected.
  

  One of Grenada’s many beautiful beaches

• Peru, Peru, Peru – A trip to Peru with some of my close friends this past June was my first visit to South America. I’m still amazed by how much we fit into 10 days. From experiencing the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu, hiking Wayna Picchu, the 10 hour train trip from Cusco to Puno, to the disappointment of the floating islands, this trip was a major highlight of 2012. There’s so much to do in this country, one of the hardest parts of planning a trip here is deciding what you can fit in.
  

  World famous Machu Picchu

• While in Peru we stayed at some beautiful properties, including Isla Suasi, an eco-lodge on a private island on Lake Titicaca. Run completely on solar energy, staying at this ‘green’ property was a highlight of my time in Peru. I fell in love with the alpacas (much cuter than llamas!) who live on the island and wish I could have brought one home with me!
  

  The aplacas of Isla Suasi

• Birthday weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake – Just over an hour from Toronto, this is one of the best wine regions in all of Canada. A spontaneous weekend here in mid-June was a great surprise for my birthday. We stayed at a lovely B & B and spent the day visiting numerous wineries where we sampled some of Canada’s top wines.
• A girlfriend’s bachelorette party was the perfect excuse to visit New York for a weekend in July. But as they say, what happens in New York, stays in New York!
• A beach vacation on Florida’s Emerald Coast – This is one of the most picturesque places in all of Florida and I enjoyed five days of beach time here in August. We had perfect weather until our very last day, which was when I happened to finally take my camera out. The pictures just don’t do it justice, so you’ll just have to take my word that this is one of the prettiest beaches in Florida. The water is a gorgeous emerald green and was so warm it felt like you were sitting in the bath. One afternoon we actually watched some fishermen catch a shark from the beach. I was a bit weary of getting in the water after that (although it didn’t stop me!). We were staying only a few short minutes from Seaside, a unique planned community, where the movie The Truman Show was filmed.
  

  Florida’s Emerald Coast on a gray day

• Long weekend in Boston, followed by a cliffside wedding in Newport – A September wedding in Newport was the perfect excuse to visit Boston for a couple days. We were lucky to have absolutely beautiful weather the entire time. Wandering through Harvard campus had me wishing I was back in university and I’m itching to return to Salem, home of the infamous Salem witch trials. Visitors here can take part in paranormal tours, which is something I’d love to do next time around.
  

  Harvard – the birthplace of Facebook

• I couldn’t leave Newport without a proper lobster lunch. I’ve learned that I shouldn’t ever attempt to eat a whole lobster again, as it just didn’t end well. And I also felt a bit bad eating something with eyes. I was a sight to behold with my messy bib and mangled lobster. I even managing to spray myself in the eye with lemon juice.
  

  Lobster lunch

• A visit to Philly, home to the famous cheesesteak – In late September I spent a few days for work in Philadelphia and loved every minute of it. Lonely Planet just named Philly number four on their top 10 list of US travel destinations for 2013 (and for good reason). The city has one of the top art scenes in North America. The museums, art galleries and public art are incredible. Don’t even get me started on the food!
  

  Garden of Delight – a part of Mural Mile

• A chilly weekend in Montreal – Although not the best time of year to visit, we had a great time exploring  Montreal at the beginning of November. Old Montreal is without a doubt my favourite part of this city and it’s full of so much history. The city is also known for its great dining options. One of the best meals we had was at the Dominion Square Tavern. I loved the energy of this place (not to mention the food!), which first opened its doors in 1927. And of course, no visit to Montreal is complete without poutine, a dish of french fries, cheese curds and gravy, a Canadian staple!

A very chilly day in Montreal

Over the holidays, I’ve been staycationing in Toronto and it has been wonderful! However, on Monday it’s back to work and reality. Looking back on 2012, I’d say it was a damn good year. Lots of US based travel (including a number of new cities) and a pretty major trip to Peru.

Next up – some local travel. I’ll be heading back to Niagara-on-the-Lake for the Ice Wine Festival later this month and can’t wait to sample some of Canada’s top wine.

A stunning sunset at Angkor Wat

The country of Cambodia is rich in history, so much of which was nearly destroyed by the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. It’s hard to imagine that less than 40 years ago, a horrific genocide took place here.

Despite the Khmer Rouge’s attempt to destroy Cambodia civilization and history, the temples of Angkor remain largely intact. They are one of the main reasons that visitors head to Cambodia (*Side note, yesterday marked the 17th Annual Angkor Wat International Half Marathon. I’d never have guessed it was the site of a yearly race!).

Angkor Wat, the main temple in this expansive Hindu temple complex (dedicated to the God Vishnu) was built back in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II of the Khmer Empire. When the French ‘discovered’ Angkor Wat in the 1860′s, it was home to a wealthy monastery with both monks and slaves. However, there were extensive periods of time where the temples lay abandoned. This UNESCO World Heritate Site is one of the most impressive pieces of history I’ve ever seen.

Here are a handful of my favourite images from Angkor, taken on two separate occasions.

One of my favourite photos taken at Angkor

One of the many magical spots at Angkor

There I am!

A quiet moment

Part of the temple complex

Amazing carvings

Sadly, poverty is still rampant

Part of the land

A Cambodian wedding – I love the pink outfits! This was a surprising sight.

]]> http://adventuressabroad.com/2012/12/03/images-of-angkor/feed/ 2 A Cambodian wedding adventuressabroad A stunning sunset at Angkor Wat My favourite photo taken at Angkor One of the many magical spots at Angkor There I am! A quiet moment Part of the temple complex Amazing carvings More carvings Sadly, poverty is still rampant Part of the land A Cambodian wedding - I love the pink outfits! http://adventuressabroad.com/2012/11/19/petra-a-city-of-romance/ http://adventuressabroad.com/2012/11/19/petra-a-city-of-romance/#comments Tue, 20 Nov 2012 02:45:39 +0000 AdventuressAbroad http://adventuressabroad.com/?p=1154 ]]> “Don’t leave! Stay here with us. Come and live with me in my cave,” said my Bedouin guide. Now that’s what I call romance!

Who would have thought my day at Petra would end with a sort-of marriage proposal? My guide was young, so I’d likely have been wife number one, but caves aren’t my thing. I need a soft pillow to lay my head on at night. However, it certainly made for an interesting day in Petra.

Petra by night (a bit hard to see in the dark)

Jordan’s ancient city of Petra is one of the most incredible places I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to fathom that over 2000 years ago, the Nabataeans carved the city entirely out of the rock. It wasn’t until the early 1800s that a European explorer rediscovered it, after it lay untouched for centuries.

Old Bedouin man resting in the shade

In 1985, Petra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and excavations are still continuing. Apparently, only about 15% of the city has actually been uncovered. It’s exciting to think of what else might still be discovered.

The Treasury, made famous by the movie Indiana Jones

The Treasury is the most famous site here. Many people may recognize it from a little movie called Indiana Jones. However, there are so many other spots besides this to discover while you’re here.

Trusty camels

The Monastery is another most-see location within Petra. However, there are a grueling 800+ stairs to climb to get there! Rather than pass out from the heat on our way up (it was the middle of June and smoking hot), we took the lazy option and took donkeys to the top with two chatty Bedouin guides.

Posing with my guide overlooking a stunning backdrop

The donkey ride was well worth the sore bum (not so much the flea bites). And our guides were entertaining, spending hours taking us around to the various sites, as well as to some other spots we might not otherwise have seen.

The Monastery

Both young guides had grown up in the area and each had an interesting story to tell. One had learned seven languages from the tourists he worked with each day. The other came from a large Bedouin family and his father had four wives! It wasn’t until the marriage proposals began late in to the afternoon, that we decided we better call it a day. As much as I loved Petra, I wasn’t quite prepared for cave dwelling.

Keeping a watchful eye on things

Desert flowers, a beautiful surprise in such a desolate landscape

This small town is full of castles and palaces. It’s easy to picture princesses once summering here. One of the palaces in Sintra used to be a summer home for royalty.

The picturesque town of Sintra

Only a short train ride from Lisbon, it takes under an hour to get here from the city and makes for a easy day trip. There are a number of beautiful castles and palaces to visit that will take you back in time. The hard part is deciding what to see! From the main town of Sintra, which is a short walk from the train station, it’s easy to explore the sites that interest you. The area is well connected by buses, which will drop you off at the various destinations.

The Moorish Castle

We first set out to explore the Moorish Castle. Built during the 8th century, the sense of history you feel here is incredible. The site has been well maintained and you’re able to walk around and see a great deal of the area.

The Portuguese Flag

If you’re visiting the Moorish Castle, I’d definitely recommend comfortable clothes and good walking shoes. It’s hilly and there are plenty of uneven stone steps. The dress I was wearing (however cute it was), impractical shoes, and big purse made things slightly uncomfortable. It was a very hot day and the sweat dripping down my back made me feel like anything but a princess!

Moorish Castle in the middle of the forest

My favourite place in Sintra was without a doubt, the Palace of Pena. Painted in bright candy colours with numerous turrets, there’s something quite whimsical about it. The palace is surrounded by Pena Park, home to lush vegetation.

A magical place

The odd yet charming Palace of Pena

One of the best ways to see the castles is through a combined ticket which will give you access to various sites. For access to the Palace of Pena and the Moorish Castle it costs 14 euros. However, there are other tickets options if you’re interested in some of the different sites. There are so many unique places you can visit here, the hardest part is deciding what to see! Sintra is one of the best day trips you can take out of Lisbon and it’s a destination you simply don’t want to miss.

Brightly coloured castle

This scary creature was guarding the castle entrance

View from the palace

Oh, and I miss not wearing socks. I hate wearing socks and have trouble finding a pair that actually match. It’s the time of year where the blahs start to set in. I’m not actually complaining because I couldn’t ask to live in a better country. I’m just taking a moment to express my extreme disdain for winter.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, I’m thinking about warm weather destinations I’d like to escape to for a week. I’d love to go back to my favourite beach in Thailand, unfortunately it’s just a bit too far.

My favourite beach

A few years ago, I discovered a largely untouched piece of tropical paradise on Koh Phangan, thanks to an Aussie mate. It’s not the easiest beach to get to, since no roads lead here. It’s either a short boat ride or an hour’s hike through the jungle to get to town. You’d never know that it’s only one beach over from the site of the infamous full moon party because it feels as though you’re a world away. If you’re looking for complete relaxation, away from the masses, there’s no better spot.

Trekking through the jungle to get to town

Days here were spent lounging on the largely empty beach with new-found friends, swimming in the ocean and eating some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. I could have lived on the fresh fruit shakes and seafood pad thai I had here. Home for the week was a small hut built into the cliff. It had nothing more than a bed, fan and basic bathroom (a bucket of water was used to flush the toilet). And it was one of the best places I’ve ever stayed! Getting a group together and hiring a boat to take you to nearby beaches made for the perfect day trip.

A nearby deserted beach

What started as a two day stay, quickly turned into eight. If we hadn’t left when we did, chances are we would have spent months here. A small group of westerners seemed to have made this spot their permanent home. If I had longer, I’d love to head back here over the holidays, although sometimes you simply can’t recreate a perfect moment in time.

Taken on our hike into town